Texas Bach Festival Celebrates 10 Years in Georgetown
Founded in 2016, the Texas Bach Festival is celebrating a special milestone this summer: 10 years of bringing world-class live classical music to Georgetown. Though the festival missed one season during the pandemic, founder and artistic director Barry Scott Williamson says its mission has never wavered—to keep timeless music alive while enriching the Central Texas arts community. “In the 10 years we’ve been here, I believe we’ve found a place in the arts community,” Barry says. “When other classical music festivals in the area disappeared, we became not only the only Bach festival in Central Texas, but one of the only classical music festivals in the region. We’d like to keep that alive.”
Now entering its ninth festival season, the Texas Bach Festival returns this June with four concerts spread across three central Georgetown venues. This year’s programming embraces the festival’s long-running philosophy: “Onward and upward.” Barry has signed nearly every Texas Bach Festival email with the phrase over the last decade. For him, it reflects far more than a cheerful sign-off. “Our mission is all about championing the great and timeless music of Bach through concerts and events that enrich the community,” he says. “ ‘Onward and upward’ means we’re always moving forward—thinking of new ideas, striving to make the community more enriched through what we do. We’re not sitting still or resting on our laurels.”
That spirit is woven throughout this year’s lineup, which introduces several festival firsts while adapting to an unexpected change in the festival schedule: the cancellation of the June 25 concert because of Barry’s ongoing vocal issues and the June 27 choral concert due to budget concerns. Even so, Barry says the remaining performances continue to reflect the festival’s commitment to innovation, variety, and artistic excellence.
A SEASON OF FESTIVAL FIRSTS
The festival opens June 23 with “The Power of Organ and Brass” at Grace Episcopal Church, home to one of Georgetown’s finest pipe organs. Organ music was central to Bach’s career—he was best known in his lifetime as a virtuoso organist—and Barry says preserving that repertoire remains vital to the festival’s identity. This year’s program adds brass accompaniment for the first time, creating what Barry describes as an especially powerful sound.
On June 24, the festival presents the return of “Bach’s Lunch” at the Georgetown Public Library, featuring a violin recital centered on one of Bach’s most celebrated violin works alongside pieces by Saint-Saëns and Richard Strauss. Audience members can also attend a “Meet the Artists” Dutch treat luncheon at City Post Chophouse following the concert. To reserve your spot, email:
The innovation continues June 26 with the debut of the Artisan Piano Trio, featuring violin, cello, and the Steinway grand piano at First Presbyterian Church. The festival concludes June 28 in the same church setting with an orchestral matinee featuring works by Mozart, Bach, and Haydn.
Together, the concerts showcase the festival’s signature blend of variety and excellence: “Everything is new this year—things the Texas Bach Festival has never done before,” Barry says.
As the festival marks its 10th anniversary, Barry emphasizes community support is more important than ever to ensure the festival will continue to thrive for another decade and beyond.
TICKETS
- GENERAL ADMISSION $35
- SENIORS (62 and older) $30
- $20 students / active military
- DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR FULL SERIES PACKAGES
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